Warbird Friendly FBOs
Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:18 am
Hi all,
With the recent talk of lacking customer service for warbirds at a specific airport, I'd like to ask those of you out there with warbirds about some warbird-friendly FBOs you have found out there. You can be a based customer or just have passed through, but please let those of us who might travel in their warbird where some good spots to set down might be.
Some points to consider...
- Did they treat you like one of the big ticket jet crews?
- Were there any discounts? Fuel? Hangar?
- If you had a mech. problem, were there mechanics that could and would help?
- Was there an obvious interest/support of warbirds evident to customers (eg: pictures in the lobby, models, the GM coming out and chatting with you for a bit?)
I will start... Tango One Aviation in Mesa, AZ at Falcon Field (KFFZ) has been amazing to work with, has staff that are not only enthusiastic about, but also know warbirds, and they have the professionalism of a top-notch jet FBO without giving the little folks the cold shoulder.
Another one is Seneca Flight Operations in Penn Yan, NY (KPYO). There isn't much out in that part of the world other than the beautiful Finger Lakes and nice, small towns. Seneca Flight really puts a shine on what would normally be a sleepy 5000' airport. When CF came in, they got all the PR out to the locals and everyone in the county seemed to be there. When the B-17 had a minor ding, the MX crew there took time out of working on their Falcon 50 to make the sheetmetal patch and help install it. The FBO manager even got the crew rooms at the La Esparenza Mansion... think French chateau!
Anyone else?
With the recent talk of lacking customer service for warbirds at a specific airport, I'd like to ask those of you out there with warbirds about some warbird-friendly FBOs you have found out there. You can be a based customer or just have passed through, but please let those of us who might travel in their warbird where some good spots to set down might be.
Some points to consider...
- Did they treat you like one of the big ticket jet crews?
- Were there any discounts? Fuel? Hangar?
- If you had a mech. problem, were there mechanics that could and would help?
- Was there an obvious interest/support of warbirds evident to customers (eg: pictures in the lobby, models, the GM coming out and chatting with you for a bit?)
I will start... Tango One Aviation in Mesa, AZ at Falcon Field (KFFZ) has been amazing to work with, has staff that are not only enthusiastic about, but also know warbirds, and they have the professionalism of a top-notch jet FBO without giving the little folks the cold shoulder.
Another one is Seneca Flight Operations in Penn Yan, NY (KPYO). There isn't much out in that part of the world other than the beautiful Finger Lakes and nice, small towns. Seneca Flight really puts a shine on what would normally be a sleepy 5000' airport. When CF came in, they got all the PR out to the locals and everyone in the county seemed to be there. When the B-17 had a minor ding, the MX crew there took time out of working on their Falcon 50 to make the sheetmetal patch and help install it. The FBO manager even got the crew rooms at the La Esparenza Mansion... think French chateau!
Anyone else?
Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:56 am
Well, Southwest Services at Ellington is pretty friendly and the gas is the cheapest of the Houston big airports. Plenty of runway and the facilities are brand new. CF Houston facility is there and it's always nice to know someone is there who might help if you need it.
Burnet, Tx has a warbird fuel discount. CAF Highland Lakes Wing is based there.
Burnet, Tx has a warbird fuel discount. CAF Highland Lakes Wing is based there.
Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:36 am
Porter County Municipal Airport (KVPZ) in Valparaiso, IN is pretty friendly. They're always enthusiastic when bomber tour groups come to town. I also believe they offer a fuel discount around Oshkosh. Plus, the Indiana Aviation Museum is on field also.
Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:20 pm
All pilots will be interested in the service provided by the EAA at the following link: Fuel prices at FBO's across the country. I believe it also updates around Airventure time when many FBO's offer discounts. Be sure to hit the "Show Map" button.
http://map.aeroplanner.com/tools/fbomap.cfm
http://map.aeroplanner.com/tools/fbomap.cfm
KVPZ
Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:04 pm
VPZ was one of our return stops on the way back from KOSH. They were very friendly, and I have to say that their courtesy car was one of the most fun cars- it was a former Indiana State Patrol Crown Vic. Boy, did it go fast... I felt like an extra in the Blues Brothers...
Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:36 pm
KDBQ folks treat NATAvery good
Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:51 pm
KLNC (home of the DFW Wing & CWAM) has both a warbird discount and a great restaurant.
KAPA had a discount at both Signature & Denver Jet Center for warbirds and all 3 FBO's on property always had great staffs no matter what you flew.
KBJC has always been great at both FBO's. Don't know about discounts though. Never flew in with anything more than a Cessna or Piper.
Others that I've had good experiences at -
KDTO
KFAR
KRAP
KCYS
KTYS
KGRI
KGCK - Excellent staff, huge airport, absolutely nothing going on at the airport for that much airport.
KABQ - Went in during a visit by Fmr. President Clinton and had an excellent time at Cutter. Don't remember paying any fees either when I bought a half tank of gas for the 182, but their fuel prices tend to be a bit high due to them having to truck in all of their fuel ($6.35 for 100LL as of today).
Think that's about my list. I've been to several other small airports that loved warbirds, but sadly, most have either closed or changed ownership since, so I can't tell you whether they're good anymore or not.
KAPA had a discount at both Signature & Denver Jet Center for warbirds and all 3 FBO's on property always had great staffs no matter what you flew.
KBJC has always been great at both FBO's. Don't know about discounts though. Never flew in with anything more than a Cessna or Piper.
Others that I've had good experiences at -
KDTO
KFAR
KRAP
KCYS
KTYS
KGRI
KGCK - Excellent staff, huge airport, absolutely nothing going on at the airport for that much airport.
KABQ - Went in during a visit by Fmr. President Clinton and had an excellent time at Cutter. Don't remember paying any fees either when I bought a half tank of gas for the 182, but their fuel prices tend to be a bit high due to them having to truck in all of their fuel ($6.35 for 100LL as of today).
Think that's about my list. I've been to several other small airports that loved warbirds, but sadly, most have either closed or changed ownership since, so I can't tell you whether they're good anymore or not.
Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:31 pm
CAPFlyer wrote:KLNC (home of the DFW Wing & CWAM) has both a warbird discount and a great restaurant.
KAPA had a discount at both Signature & Denver Jet Center for warbirds and all 3 FBO's on property always had great staffs no matter what you flew.
KBJC has always been great at both FBO's. Don't know about discounts though. Never flew in with anything more than a Cessna or Piper.
Others that I've had good experiences at -
KDTO
KFAR
KRAP
KCYS
KTYS
KGRI
KGCK - Excellent staff, huge airport, absolutely nothing going on at the airport for that much airport.
KABQ - Went in during a visit by Fmr. President Clinton and had an excellent time at Cutter. Don't remember paying any fees either when I bought a half tank of gas for the 182, but their fuel prices tend to be a bit high due to them having to truck in all of their fuel ($6.35 for 100LL as of today).
Think that's about my list. I've been to several other small airports that loved warbirds, but sadly, most have either closed or changed ownership since, so I can't tell you whether they're good anymore or not.
Don't forget KBKD, its still there..
Say hello to Steve....
Lynn
Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:06 pm
True, but I've not been to KBKD for anything other than riding to Midland and having a cowl section on the R4D needing to be banged back into shape after getting runover the previous winter. 
Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:46 am
If in Olympia WA, stop by Pearson Air, at the Olympia airport. You'll probably meet me.
I give a 15 cent a gallon discount for Cascade Warbird members ( I could probably extend this to WIX patrons), and the Olympic Flight Museum is just down the ramp.
By the way,
I sort of like these Warbird things.
Just tell them Curt sent you.
I give a 15 cent a gallon discount for Cascade Warbird members ( I could probably extend this to WIX patrons), and the Olympic Flight Museum is just down the ramp.
By the way,
I sort of like these Warbird things.
Just tell them Curt sent you.